This task was constructed to encourage us to use collaboration skills as well as the design process in order to create an earthquake proof tower. The structure that we were challenged to make had some requirements such as being at least 60cm tall with a maximum base width of 30cm, while not exceeding a budget of $60.

In order to make a successful tower we used the engineering process that goes as follows define, brainstorm, research, design, create and then test in order to evaluate and improve. This process is the fundamental order of design and I belive helped us to make a structure that was able to survive a reasonably sized earthquake. I feel that this is a very orderly plan that has been constructed by people in the business that do this as a job. Because of this, this worked very well for my group. I feel that if we did not follow such a structure our tower would not have worked as well. By defining the problem first, it allowed us to make our task more concise if we did not define it first, I am not sure if I would have been able to research design features in the way that I did. But before research, I had to brainstorm all my ideas no matter if they would work or not. This step allowed me to clear my mind, helping me to focus on the good ideas I had researched. I feel that research is arguably the most important part of the engineering process as it gives you knowledge about your problem that you previously defined. Due to having knowledge and brainstorming you now have the ability to try and design an idea that would be able to work. Once you have created what you think is a successful idea you are able to move to the next step and create. Depending on your first round of this process, you repeat the steps to create the best engineered structure. I feel that for this task the engineering process works very well to achieve the goal.

Personally, my group worked very well.  We all worked to our strength following our rules and roles. The roles that we followed helped us to have an even workload. Cathrine was our reporter, and her role was to make sure the final presentation is ready by the deadline. Just because Cathrines role does not say that she helps in the creation and ideation of this structure does not mean that she did not help in those areas. Leahs role was to be the manager she makes sure that everyone understands the challenge and keeps the team on track. Leah also helped in the construction and ideation of the tower even though her role does not say so. I was the equipment manager and the speaker meaning that I get our supplies and seek assistance. I feel that the way that my group helped each other was mature and respectful. We all worked together to achieve, and this is what we did.